Man City will be 'stress-tested' when Pep Guardiola leaves, Man United can overtake their rivals
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
(Credit: Imago)
Ciaran Morrison
Thu 11 September 2025 20:48, UK
Man United believe they can overtake rivals Man City in one key area when Pep Guardiola decides to leave the club.
Man City have been a dominant force in the Premier League since Guardiola‘s arrival in 2016, overtaking Man United on the pitch.
The 2024-25 campaign was only the second time in Guardiola’s tenure that he has failed to win a trophy at the club during the season.
Man United have had years of struggle since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, but go into the Manchester derby above their neighbours under Ruben Amorim.
Credit: Imago
As per the Daily Mail [11 September], Ian Ladyman believes the eventual departure of Guardiola won’t just impact results on the pitch but also there commercial revenues.
He states that sponsors want to be associated with a winning team, which Man City have been for over a decade, though there fortunes could change without Guardiola at the helm.
“When manager Pep Guardiola goes – in the summer of 2027 at the latest – the depth of City’s structures and relevance will be stress-tested like never before.
If they don’t keep winning, what happens?,” Ladyman asked.
Games Managed536Games Won377Games Drawn77Games Lost82Pep Guardiola’s managerial stats at Man City in all competitions.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
“Inside the club they feel things are in place.
Only one of the Manchester stadiums will be used when the UK hosts Euro 2028 and it won’t be the red one.
“At Old Trafford, insiders believe City may have already reached the top of their commercial and sporting mountain.
They, on the other hand, can see where their own next steps forward could come.”
Man City have won six Premier League titles and a Champions League under Guardiola, and are expected to challenge for trophies again this season unlike Man United who were knocked out of the League Cup by Grimsby and have no European football.
Man United have gone through six permanent managers since Guardiola arrived in England, and none have been able to close the gap on their rivals.
Increasing commercial revenue may help in the transfer market and to improve facilities, but it is about management and being able to spend money wisely which will help Man United return to the top.
Thanks to their ownership Man City will not be leaving Europe’s top table and even without Guardiola at the helm, the Citizens will still be a force to be reckoned with.
The upcoming Manchester derby still has Man City as strong favourites at the Etihad despite their stuttering start to the season.